Distribution network operators (DNOs) could face fines if they have not provided a good service to companies who want to connect to the network and now Ofgem has asked customers to give their views on DNOs’ performance. Ofgem explains that…
News
SSE sells street lighting PFIs
by New Power • • Comments Off
SSE has sold its interest in three public financing initiative (PFI) street lighting entities to a DIF Infrastructure fund. The sale is expected to make £130 million and will conclude SSE’s two-year £1.1 billion programme to reduce debt and raise…
Green Deal “was not fit for purpose”, says Public Accounts Committee MP
by Annabel Andrews • • Comments Off
The design and implementation of the government’s Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation put public money at risk and led to minimal CO2 savings, the Public Accounts Committee said today in a new report. In its new report, the committee concludes take…
MPs oppose CMA remedy: lifting curbs on switching sites could hit new energy suppliers
by New Power • • Comments Off
MPs have written to Greg Clark, the new secretary of state for business, energy and industrial strategy, to urge him not to go ahead with plans to make it easier for switching websites to hide some deals from users. The…
France’s nuclear bailout faces Commission probe
by New Power • • Comments Off
The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation to determine whether France broke State Aid rules when it brokered a €4 billion bailout for Areva, the company due to supply the reactor for EDF’s Hinkley Point C project. Areva is…
Consents quashed for 2.3GW of Scottish offshore wind after RSPB challenge
by New Power • • Comments Off
Wind farms off the Scottish shore totalling 2.3GW have had their planning consents quashed by the Edinburgh Court of Session. RSPB Scotland took the consents to judicial review, arguing that the effects of the wind farms on bird life had…
Industrial users should be able to sell DSR directly to wholesale market, report says
by Annabel Andrews • • Comments Off
Nearly 10GW of business-led demand-side response (DSR) could be released in the UK if regulation changed to make it easier for flexible business energy users to sell their demand reduction, a report from the Association for Decentralised Energy (ADE) has…
Scottish energy minister concerned by decision to scrap Decc
by Annabel Andrews • • Comments Off
The Scottish energy minister Paul Wheelhouse has called for urgent talks with the UK Government following the Teresa May’s decision to axe Whitehall’s Department of Energy and Climate Change (Decc). The Scottish government said the decision has “led to concerns…
Decc scrapped in favour of Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy in May’s cabinet overhaul
by Annabel Andrews • • Comments Off
New prime minister Teresa May has scrapped the Department of Energy and Climate Change (Decc) and placed the energy sector under the purview of the new Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, headed by Greg Clark. It’s not yet clear where…
Green gas grid cheaper than other decarbonised heat scenarios, report finds
by Annabel Andrews • • Comments Off
Gas and electricity policy decisions need to be firmed up ahead of the next RIIO network price controls, due to the long term nature of network investments. Adapting the existing gas network to hydrogen or biogas is the cheapest way…